England's Arts Funding 'Straitjacket' to Be Overhauled

A Call for Change in Cultural Funding

A major review of Arts Council England (ACE) has called for significant changes to the way cultural funding is distributed across the country. The report, commissioned by the government and led by former minister Dame Margaret Hodge, suggests that the current system needs a complete overhaul to empower regional decision-making and eliminate policies that critics argue have undermined artistic excellence.

The review highlights the need for new local and regional decision-making boards that would take control of funding allocations for local arts organizations. This shift aims to ensure that regional voices have a stronger say in how cultural resources are used, rather than relying solely on national guidelines.

The Let's Create Strategy Under Fire

One of the most controversial aspects of the current system is the Let's Create strategy, which has been criticized for stifling creativity and innovation. According to Dame Margaret, this approach has led to a situation where art and excellence have been sidelined in favor of accessibility and inclusivity.

"Art and excellence were sidelined," she wrote, noting that many venues and arts organizations felt they had to "tick all the ACE boxes" to secure funding, rather than focusing on their artistic ambitions. This instrumentalist approach to access has led to frustration among artists and cultural institutions.

The Wigmore Hall’s Stand

The London classical music venue Wigmore Hall recently withdrew from the annual funding system, calling it "crippling." Its director, John Gilhooly, welcomed the findings of the review, stating that it vindicates concerns raised over the years.

"We went public with these concerns too, and the report mentions these genuine problems," he said. He urged the government to fully implement the recommendations, emphasizing that ACE should be a champion of the arts, not a schoolmaster.

ACE’s Response

In response to the report, Arts Council England expressed support for the principles of excellence and access that underpin the Let's Create strategy. However, it acknowledged that the implementation of the strategy has been too prescriptive, placing an unnecessary administrative burden on artists and organizations.

"The review's findings will help us improve, so that we can better meet the needs of the people we serve," a spokesperson said. ACE has already begun simplifying its application and monitoring processes but recognizes that more needs to be done quickly.

Regional Panels and National Boards

Dame Margaret proposed a dual approach to funding decisions. For arts organizations of national and international significance, a national board should make funding decisions. However, other funding should be managed by local boards to strengthen the regional voice in decision-making.

She also pointed out that the music and opera sectors have been particularly critical of the Arts Council's strategy. Specific examples include the Welsh National Opera and Glyndebourne losing their funding for touring at the same time as the English National Opera faced cuts.

A Vital National Body

Despite the criticisms, Dame Margaret emphasized that the Arts Council England remains a vital national body. She believes that her recommendations will help lay the groundwork for a vibrant, robust, and successful cultural sector in the coming decade.

Government’s Reaction

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy welcomed the review, stating that it challenges the government to do better. She highlighted the need to strengthen support for artists, reach communities more effectively, and ensure that creativity is accessible to all.

A full government response to the review is expected to be published in the New Year.